I was messing with the fellows at the Sparkfun tent at Maker Faire and I hear Laura calling me over. I know it's something good if she's dragging me away from Sparkfun. So I walk over and see some etched copper circuit boards.  Circuit Etched In Copper
Neat! I think, but what did it take to make this? Then I realize, it's right in front of me! The thing is about 1.5' square and it literally etches circuit boards right there on your desk.  Incredible Circuit Board Mill Machine
The very first thing I did before even talking to anyone was to put my name on the mailing list. This gadget is *brilliant*. So I immediately start asking questions of the guy standing behind this machine. I want to know about the output. I ask straight out, "is it possible to use CadSoft Eagle to make these designs?" The man in front of me gives me a slightly annoyed look, says "uhhh talk to him" and points to a young kid, must still be in high school. I couldn't believe it, this kid has built quite possibly the most incredible little machine I've seen. So I ask again. The answer is "yes", apparently you can export from just about any drawing program to PNG format to cut boards. In fact, Eagle was used to create the design I was looking at. I asked if kits were a possibility, and this youngster told me again "yes", kits are in the works. Looking at their page, it would cost just over $200 to make one of these. A bargain I'd say, compared with the price of making prototypes at a professional PCB manufacturer! I hope these kits are available soon, I'd love to have this and a large pile of copper boards sitting on my desk. |
Software |
That is one cool looking
That is one cool looking circuit board machine! If it could do what it showed in the picture and cost $200 I would be the first in line. I have a feeling that when all the costs of new quality parts is tallied it will be well above that. :(
Awesome
This is pretty awesome. I doubt he'll be able to put kits out in the $200 range though. Looks like he used quality leadscrews and those alone could go for $75-150 for the screws and parts that go with it. If you roll your own stepper controllers, find megacheap controllers and happen to have some steel and some loong tool hardened screws laying around you could do this for pocket change though. But it wont look as awesome as this guys kit. (He may have used threaded rod but those look like quality lead screws). Drop me a line and i can tell you what you need to make one
Post new comment